Tom Hanks Gold Derby Interview: Should Voice Actors Win Best Actor Oscars?

With the highly anticipated return of Woody in Toy Story 5, legendary actor Tom Hanks is not just returning to the recording booth—he’s starting a conversation about how the film industry recognizes talent. In a recent Gold Derby interview, the two-time Oscar winner shared a provocative take on the Academy Awards and the invisibility of voice acting in the main categories.

Moving Beyond a Separate Category

For decades, the debate has raged over whether voice actors deserve their own dedicated category at the Oscars. However, Tom Hanks believes the solution isn’t more categories, but rather a change in how we perceive “acting.”

Hanks argues that the essence of a great performance isn’t whether the actor’s face is on screen, but whether the performance resonates with the audience. According to Hanks, the criteria should be simple: “Any performance that moved you.”

The Andy Serkis Example: Raw Talent vs. Visuals

To illustrate his point, Hanks pointed to the groundbreaking work of Andy Serkis. Known for his transformative roles in the Lord of the Rings and Planet of the Apes franchises, Serkis provides the “raw material” and emotional depth that define a character, even when hidden behind CGI.

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• Emotional Depth: Voice and motion-capture actors provide the psychological foundation of a role.
• Invisible Artistry: Many actors have come close to nominations despite never appearing on camera.
• Parity: Hanks believes a “pure-vocal actor” possesses the chops to win Best Actor or Best Actress.

A History of Animation at the Academy Awards

Since the first Academy Awards in 1929, the acting categories have remained largely traditional. While the Academy introduced the Best Animated Feature category in 2002 and has a long history with animated shorts, no voice actor has ever secured a win in the primary acting categories.

This gap in recognition comes at a time when the Academy is evolving, recently introducing categories for Achievement in Stunt Design and Best Casting, showing a willingness to modernize its standards.

Looking Ahead: Toy Story 5

These reflections come as Hanks reprises his iconic role as Woody in Toy Story 5, set to hit theaters on June 19. Coming more than 30 years after the original 1995 masterpiece, the film serves as a reminder of the enduring power of voice acting to create some of cinema’s most beloved characters.

Do you agree with Tom Hanks? Should the Oscars allow voice actors to compete for Best Actor? Let us know in the comments!